If you want to be a good blues singer, people are going to be down on you, so dress like you're going to the bank to borrow money.
B. B. KingRead
I never use that word, retire.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Retirement is often viewed as an endpoint, but B.B. King emphasizes continual engagement and passion for one's work.
In this quote, B.B. King conveys the idea that he does not believe in the concept of retirement as a cessation of activity. Instead, he suggests that one should remain active and engaged in their passions and pursuits for as long as possible, highlighting the importance of maintaining a sense of purpose and enthusiasm in life.
Themes
RetirementPassionEngagementWorkPurpose
In practice
Example use cases
In a motivational speech to inspire colleagues to keep pursuing their dreams, even after traditional retirement age.
More from B. B. King
All quotes βThe way I feel today, as long as my health is good and I can handle myself well and people still come to my concerts, still buy my CDs, I'll keep playing until I feel like I can't.
B. B. KingRead
Everything I record, I just try to sound like me and come up with songs that suit what I do and then just go for it. I never know what the public's going to like, anyway.
B. B. KingRead
A guitar is like an old friend that is there with me.
B. B. KingRead
I have not been a good father, but no father has loved his children more. Like my father, I decided the best thing I could do for my kids was work and provide. Fortunately, I've been able to do that. Unfortunately, my work was on the road, and that's meant a life of one-nighters.
B. B. KingRead
People all over the world have problems. And as long as people have problems, the blues can never die.
B. B. KingRead
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Life is not about gutting out every situation. It's about identifying opportunity or the lack thereof. If your pride is all that is standing in the way of quitting, quit. The right people won't care and the wrong people don't matter. If you know you're on the right path, persevere though the pain. It will be worth it.
Seth GodinRead